Dramatic images show the aftermath of a huge fire that devastated a derelict hotel in Newquay on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters and police were still at the scene of the devastated Hotel California yesterday morning (Monday 1 July) after firefighters worked through the night to extinguish the blaze.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire at 3.56pm on Sunday 30th June after smoke was seen pouring from the windows of the abandoned three-storey building. Ten fire engines were called to the blaze on Pentire Crescent after thick black smoke was seen billowing from the building.
Witnesses said they could see the smoke from miles away. One witness said at the time: “The Hotel California in Newquay is on fire at the moment. I was just walking the dog – called the fire brigade at 4.15pm – they were on their way. It’s completely out of control now. The whole building is in flames.”
A statement from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: “The original report at 3.56pm indicated smoke coming from the windows of the three-storey building. At 8.49pm it was confirmed that the building was also on fire.”
This morning (1 July) the fire service released a statement saying: “Crews have been working throughout the night to ensure good progress is being made. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are still at the scene of the incident but the presence has been reduced.”
Read more: Photos from the fire at Hotel California Newquay show firefighters battling the huge blaze
In February, CornwallLive reported that the hotel would be demolished to make way for a new development, after Cornwall Council gave planning permission. The former hotel closed in November 2021 with a design and access statement submitted with the planning application stating that “after years of steady decline, the hotel was becoming outdated and in a state of disrepair”.
There are 14 photos in this photo story. Click the ‘NEXT’ button at the bottom of the page to see them all.
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Pentire Crescent in Newquay remained closed for most of the day.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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On Monday morning, firefighters and police were still on site.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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The faded Hotel California sign on the building.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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The hotel remains closed.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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Ten fire engines were called to the fire on Pentire Crescent.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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The destruction seen from across the Gannel.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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Witnesses said they could see the smoke from miles away.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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The fire brigade worked all night to extinguish the fire.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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On Monday morning the scene was more peaceful.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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Most of the windows were broken and black from the smoke spread by the fire.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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The hotel was to be demolished to make way for a new building after Cornwall Council granted planning permission.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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The former hotel closed in November 2021. A design and access statement was submitted with the planning application stating that “after years of steady decline the hotel had become outdated and had fallen into a state of disrepair”.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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It was a sad sight to look at the remains of the hotel.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)
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The last fire engines left the hotel on Monday afternoon.
(Image: Greg Martin/Cornwall Live)